The expression of nestin and vimentin in the spinal nerve roots of rats with experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) was studied to ascertain whether Schwann cells in the peripheral nerves respond to acute central nervous system autoimmune injury. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated that nestin was constitutively expressed in the dorsal roots of spinal nerves in control rats; its expression was enhanced in the spinal nerve roots of rats with EAE. Vimentin expression was weak in control rat spinal nerve roots, and it was increased in the dorsal roots of rats with EAE. It is postulated that normal animals have multipotent progenitor cells that constitutively express nestin and vimentin in the spinal nerve roots. In response to an injury of the central nervous system, these multipotent Schwann cells are activated in the spinal nerve roots through the expression of the intermediate filament proteins vimentin and nestin.

In order to compare the induced time of osteoporosis between ovariectomized and neurectomized models in ddY mice. Experimental groups were divided into Sham, ovariectomized (OVX group) and neurectomized (NX group) group. The changes of body weight, tibia weight and histomorphometry of epiphyseal regions of tibia that were generally used as criteria index in osteoporosis, were evaluated at 2 and 4 weeks after operations with other generally used index-changes of serum osteocalcin. Also, calcium and phosphorus levels in the ash tibia were demonstrated with their ratio (Ca/P ratio). From the result of this study, evidences which reflect osteoporotic states of animals such as decrease of absolute and relative tibia weight, histomorphometrical index of epiphyseal region of tibia including trabecular bone volume %, and calcium and phosphorous contents in tibia, were generally detected from 4 weeks after ovariectomy and 2 weeks after neurectomy with increase of serum osteocalcin levels. In conclusion, it is considered that more rapid and favorable osteoporosis was induced in neurectomized model compared to that of ovariectomized model.

The proliferation of mesangial cells has been associated with the development of diabetic nephropathy. The cell proliferation has been regulated by diverse growth factors. Among them, insulin like growth factors(IGFs) are also involved in the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy. However, it is not yet known about the effect of high glucose on IGF-I and IGF-II secretion and the relationship between high glucose-induced secretion of IGFs and PKC or oxidative stress in the mesangial cells. Thus, we examined the mechanisms by which high glucose regulates secretion of IGFs in mesangial cells. High glucose(25 mM) increased IGF-I and IGF-II secretion. High glucose-induced increase of IGF-I and IGF-II secretion were blocked by taurine($2{\times}10^{-3}$ M), N-acetyl cystein(NAC, $10^{-5}M$), or GSH($10^{-5}M$) (antioxidants), suggesting the role of oxidative stress. High glucose-induced secretion of IGF-I and IGF-II were blocked by H-7, staurosporine, and bisindolylmaleimide I(protein kinase C inhibitors). On the other hand, high glucose also increased lipid peroxide (LPO) formation in a dose dependent manner. In addition, high glucoseinduced stimulation of LPO formation was blocked by PKC inhibitors. These results suggest that PKC is responsible for the increase of oxidative stress in the action of high glucose-induced secretion of IGF-I and IGF-II in mesangial cells. In conclusion, high glucose stimulates IGF-I and IGF-II secretion via PKCoxidative stress signal pathways in mesangial cells.

Aflatoxins are produced mainly by Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus that grow in improperly stored cereals. Aflatoxin B1 ($AFB_1$) is a potent hepatocarcinogen in a variety of experimental animals including human beings. In spite of a high attention to the hepatocarcinogenecity of $AFB_1$, the relative toxicity of aflatoxins ($AFB_2$ and $AFG_1$) is not fully clarified. Sprague-Dawley male rats were orally administered with $AFB_1$, $AFB_2$, and $AFG_1$ at the dose of 250 ${\mu}g/kg$ (additionally including a dose of $1250{\mu}g/kg $ for $AFB_1$) body weight. Animals were then killed at 12, 24 or 48 hrs following aflatoxin exposure. Subsequently the immunohistochemical examination of p53, cytochrome p450 1A1 (CYP450 1A1), and glutathione-S-transferase placental form (GST-P) were performed. The level of the 8-OxodG in the liver was determined. Expressions of CYP450 1A1 and p53 were high in the liver of rats through 48 hrs after treatment of $AFB_1$ at the single dose of $250{\mu}g/kg $. This pattern was more clear as increasing doses. The treatment of $AFB_2$ and $AFG_1$ did not affect the expression of CYP450 1A1 but it caused weak expression of p53. The activity of GST were not found in the liver of rats treated with aflatoxins. The formation of 8-OxodG by $AFB_1$ increased in a dose-dependent manner up to 24 hrs after a single treatment of $AFB_1$ thereafter decreased to the level of control. The treatment of $AFB_2$ and $AFG_1$ did not affect the levels of 8-OxodG in the liver of rats with increasing time. These results in the present study indicate that $AFB_1$ among aflatoxins with low comparable levels is the most toxic as determined by early biomarkers such as CYP450 1A1, p53, GST-P, and 8-OxodG.

The vasorelaxant effect of serotonin reuptake inhibitor fluoxetine was investigated in rat isolated thoracic aorta. Fluoxetine induced a concentration-dependent relaxation in aorta precontracted with phenylephrine (PE) and KCl. These relaxations were suppressed by removal of the endothelium (-E) or pretreatment of nitric oxide synthase inhibitors, N(G)-nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA) and N(omega)-nitro-Larginine methyl ester (L-NAME), guanylate cyclase inhibitors, methylene blue (MB) and 1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo [4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ), and $Ca^{2+}$ channel blockers, nifedipine and verapamil, in PE-precontracted +E rings. However, fluoxetine-induced relaxations were not suppressed by pretreatment of $K^{+}$ channel blockers, tetrabutylammonium and glibenclamide, in PE-precontracted endothelium intact (+E) rings. The fluoxetine-induced relaxations were not suppressed by removal of the endothelium or pretreatment of LNNA and MB in KCl-precontracted +E rings. Also, fluoxetine inhibited PE-induced sustained contraction in +E rings. These inhibitory effects of fluoxetine on contractions could be reversed by removal of the endothelium or pretreatment of L-NNA, L-NAME, MB, ODQ, nifedipine and verapamil, but not by pretreatment of etrabutylammonium and glibenclamide. These findings suggest that the vasorelaxant effect of fluoxetine is modulated by intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ with an involvement of endothelial NO-cGMP pathway and also may be related to the inhibition of $Ca^{2+}$ entry through voltage-gated channel.

The present study was carried out to investigate the potential adverse effects of amitraz on pregnant dams after maternal exposure during the gestational days (GD) 1 through 19 in Sprague-Dawley rats. The test chemical was administered orally to pregnant rats at dose levels of 0, 3, 10, or 30 mg/kg/ day. During the test period, clinical signs, mortality, body weights, food consumption, serum biochemistry, gross findings, organ weights and reproductive findings on GD 20 were examined. In the 30 mg/kg group, an increase in the incidence of abnormal clinical signs and death, a suppression in the body weight gain, and a decrease in the food consumption were observed. A decrease in the liver weight and increases in the kidneys, adrenal glands and heart weights were also found. Serum biochemical investigations revealed increases in the aspartate aminotransferase (AST), total bilirubin, and chloride. In addition, an increase in the fetal death and decreases in the litter size and fetal body weight were seen at caesarean section. Inthe 10 mg/kg group, an increase in the incidence of abnormal clinical signs, decreases in the food consumption and liver weight, increases in the total bilirubin and chloride, and a decrease in the fetal body weight were observed. There were no adverse effects on clinical signs, mortality, body weights, food consumption, serum biochemistry, gross findings, organ weights and reproductive findings in the 3 mg/kg group. Based on the results, it was concluded that the 19-day repeated oral dose of amitraz to pregnant rats caused increases in the clinical signs, kidneys, adrenal glands and heart weights, AST, total bilirubin and chloride and decreases in the body weight gain, food consumption and liver weight at the dose levels of above 10 mg/kg/day. Under the present experimental conditions, the no-observed-adverse-effect level (NOAEL) of amitraz was considered to be 3 mg/kg/day.

In this study, we performed a PCR-RFLP analysis of NADH oxidase gene(nox) for the characterization of porcine intestinal spirochetes isolated from Korea by the comparison with Brachyspira hyodysenteriae and B. pilosicoli reference strains. Eleven strains including four reference strains, B. hyodysenteriae B204, B234, B169, B. pilosicoli P43/6/78 and seven Korean isolates were used. PCR products of 939 bp were amplified using nox-specific primers and digested with two restriction enzymes, Bfm I and Dpn II. In study using Bfm I, both strains showed no difference in fragmented size(197 and 741 bp). When use Dpn II, B. hyodysenteriae showed two bands(209 and 684 bp), however B. pilosicoli showed a single band of 896 bp. Our results indicate that nox-specific PCR-RFLP could be used as a typing method of Brachyspira species and as an epidemiological method for identifying spirochetes isolated from swine.

Mean death time of inoculated embryonated egg is one of the methods to determine the virulence of the Newcastle disease viruses (NDV). Evaluation of tissue tropism of NDV in the host has been proposed as an another way to determine the pathogenicity of NDV based on the principal site of viral replication. To evaluate the tissue tropism among NDV, an immunohistochemistry(IHC) technique using monoclonal antibody was applied in one-day-old SPF chickens inoculated with different ND vaccine strains such as Ulster 2C, VG/GA and B1 viruses by eye drop instillation. The tissues used for this comparison were trachea, intestine, Harderian gland and cecal tonsil, which were collected at 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 10, 14 days post inoculation. Among test groups, chickens inoculated with B1 viurs, which is known to replicate in the respiratory system, have IHC positive staining mainly in the trachea and those inoculated with Ulster 2C have IHC positive staining mainly in the intestine. However, chickens inoculated with VG/GA strain have IHC positive staining in both the trachea and intestine. Therefore, a differences in tissue tropism among ND vaccine strains has been proved by the IHC technique. Based on this results, the IHC staining technique could be used to classify the NDV or to study the pathogenesis of NDV in chickens.

Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) causes various clinical signs in human and animals, and has been indicated as a global enteropathogen with zoonotic importance. In this study, the feces of healthy pigs were collected from the slaughtered pigs of Daejon abattoir during the period from December 2001 to October 2002. Of 326 specimens, 13 STEC were confirmed by culture, PCR and colony hybridization. The isolates were further studied for toxin types, pathogenic factors, plasmid profiles, and antimicrobial resistance to characterize the genetic and toxigenic properties. In PCR, all of 13 isolates were evident to have shiga toxin gene (stx). Of 13 isolates stx1 gene was detected in 4 and stx2 gene in 9. The genes of eaeA, hlyA and rfbE were not present in any isolates. In colony hybridization using shiga toxin common primer (STXc), 2 to 9 per 100 colonies subcultured from 13 isolates showed the positive reaction. In the examination for plasmid profiles of the isolates, one to eleven plasmids with varying sizes of 1.0 Kb to 100 Kb were detected, and the 13 STEC could be classified into four groups by the plasmid patterns. The antimicrobial resistance patterns of the isolates were comparably corresponded with the plasmid profile patterns.

To detect viral agents and isolate porcine circovirus 2 (PCV2), 60 samples of lung and lymph node were collected from 5 to 12 week-old pigs that had showed clinical signs of postweaning multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS). Polymerase chain reactions (PCRs) were conducted to identify the viral pathogens including PCV1, PCV2, porcine parvovirus (PPV) and porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) that have been considered to be the causal agents of PMWS. Among 60 samples, PCV 2 was detected from 57 samples but no PCV 1 was detected. PRRSV and/or PPV were also detected from 27 (47.4%) samples and 1 (1.8%) sample of these 57 PCV 2-positive samples, respectively. Tissue homogenates were inoculated onto PCV-free PK-15 cell monolayers. Seven isolates were confirmed as PCV 2 by multiplex PCR, indirect immunofluorescence assay, and transmissible electron microscopy. These date suggest that PRRSV is a major cofactors causing PMWS in pigs that were infected with PCV2 in Korea.

In order to obtain the genetic informations of the Korean isolates of porcine circovirus 2 (PCV2), nucleotide sequences of total genome of three isolates and open reading frame 2 (ORF2) of four isolates were determined and compared with those of other reference PCV2 isolates. Nucleotide sequences of 3 isolates showed over 99% homology with those of reference strain (GenBank accession no. AF027217). Point mutations were mainly determined on ORF2 regions but little on ORF1 regions. The patterns of pointmutated sites and nucleotide substitution on ORF2 regions were generally consistent between Korean isolates, and these mutated sites observed in Korean isolates were also relatively similar to those of foreign isolates. Phylogenetic analysis of nucleotide or amino acid sequences showed that there were minor branches consisting of three clusters; cluster of Korea, Canada and America, cluster of Spain and Taiwan, and the last cluster of French and China isolates. These results suggested that Korean PCV2s were probably originated from North America such as Canada or USA. The genetic informations obtained from this study could be useful for the research of diagnosis and pathogenecity of PCV2.

The growth characteristics and the properties of the Enterococcus faecium (E. faecium) isolated from intestine of slaughting pig were examined in order to confirm whether it will be used practically as probiotics or not. E. faecium was identified by morphological and biochemical tests including of final confirming by API strep kit. Among 264 samples, 44 isolates (16.7%) of E. faecium were observed as an exellent growth as a range of $1{\times}10^7CFU/ml{\sim}3.3{\times}10^9CFU/ml$ in viable bacterial count on MRI medium. All isolates were shown non-haemolysis on the blood agar exception of 28 isolates shown ${\alpha}$-haemolysis and were identified as E. faecium by biochemical test using API strep enzyme kits. Eight strains (18.2%) were finally selected from which they were excellent sensitivity in showing of the acid-tolerance and the bile-tolerance in compare with reference strain.

Blood samples from 622 pigs of 44 farms which were sero-positive to Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae (M. hyo) by ELISA method were collected from May 2003 to July 2004. And they were divided into 2 categories : M. hyo-vaccinated group (7 swine farms) and M. hyo-non-vaccinated group (37 swine farms). Then, each swine farm was analysed by sero-positive percentage per weeks of age. It was observed that the sero-positive percentage to M. hyo is directly proportional to weeks of age in the 44 swine farms that were selected. This meant that there has been a chronic infection of M. hyo in Korean swine herds and control of M. hyo infection did not have worked efficiently. In 7 M. hyo-vaccinated swine farms, there were no reliable patterns between sero-positive percentage to M. hyo and weeks of age. Although the swine farms have been used M. hyo vaccine, they had only little sero-positive percentage that was less than 50% at 6 to 11 weeks of age. This means a present vaccination program does not induce sufficiently a seroconversion expected. In 37 M. hyo-non-vaccinated swine farms, it was observed that sero-positive percentage was higher at above 15 weeks of age. This result showed that infection of M. hyo occurred commonly at between 7 and 12 weeks of age, at which pigs moved to the growing house. Because a risk of natural infection is severe at growing stage as well as nursery stage, it suggested that M. hyo vaccination at several weeks prior to the growing stage will give efficient effect to control the enzootic pneumonia.

An egg has been considered as one of the most important food sources because of it's nutritional superiority and reasonable price. With the complexity of egg flow system from production to consumption in Korea, preventive measures for egg safety have been required. Therefore, our study was carried out to analyze hazards for the egg under farm level and develope preventive measures with a purpose of obtaining egg safety. To analyze biological hazards, microbial contamination of egg(normal, dirty and cracked), water, feed, manure and equipments associated with laying were investigated. One isolate of Salmonella enteritidis and S. bardo were detected from the manure and dirty egg shell respectively. The sanitary conditions in the farm were surveyed by questionaries. Confirmation of vaccination for purchasing chicks and establishment of sanitary guidances for water and type of water suppliers ought to be preceded. Feed supplier systems including feed tanks, feed pipes and hoppers were known that their contamination might give it a chance to infect individuals and egg content and shell. The safe and rapid disposal of dead chickens and rodent were reported as more crucial factors to prevent infectious disease and manage good sanitation. Egg selector and collecting belt should be kept properly not to be contaminated from egg fluids and feces. It should be also considered that regular gathering of eggs, removal of dirty or cracked ones, storage under refrigeration and the use of disposable egg tray were continuously fulfilled. Conclusively, Our results suggested that HACCP-based system for providing fresh and safe eggs to consumers should be applied to the farm.

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori)-infection is an important pathogen of stomach cancer after chronic gastritis and ulceration in the stomach and duodenum. However, the virulences of H. pylori strains have not been well-defined between clinical isolates. This study was designed to establish water-immersion-restraint stress (WIRS) model in mongolian gerbil for comparison of pathogenicity of H. pylori strains. To determine an optimal duration time for WIRS model in gerbil, 5-week-old Mongolian gerbils were divided into different groups by WIRS duration time. After graded duration of WIRS, the macroscopic ulcer index (UI) was measured with the stomach and duodenum of sacrificed animal. There were no significant differences between male and female in same duration group. However, the UI increased significantly in a time-dependent fashion. The group of 6 hours-WIRS animals showed severe hemorrhage and ulceration in their stomach and duodenum. On the other hand, the very mild lesions induced in 2 hours-treated animals. Therefore, we determined an optimal duration time for WIRS model in gerbil as 4 hours. Thereafter, we evaluated whether this WIRS model in gerbil could be used as an useful tool for in vivo comparison of pathogenicity of H. pylori strains by enhancement of pathological severity in H. pylori-infected gerbils. Mongolian gerbils were divided into H. pyloriinfected and PBS-inoculated groups. Thereafter, they were divided again into 4 hours-WIRS and no WIRS subgroups. After treatment, the severity of pathological changes was evaluated in a same manner with previous duration-determining experiment. When the animals were exposed to WIRS, the UI was significantly higher in the infected group than in the uninfected group. These results suggested that the established gerbil-WIRS model in this study enhanced effectively the severity of pathogenic changes in the H. pylori-infected Mongolian gerbils and could be used as an useful tool for in vivo comparison of pathogenicity of H. pylori strains.

A three years old male Jackass penguin(Spheniscus demersus) showed anorexia, depression, respiratory problem for a few days, followed by clinical treatment for 20 days resulted in death. Grossly, multiple white nodules measuring 2~3 mm in diameter were observed in the surface of and inside lung, liver, kidney, thoracic wall. Microscopically, granuloma formations were observed in the lung and liver. The margin of granuloma surrounded by connective tissue barrier and infiltrated lymphocytes, and also observed giant cell near the granuloma. By Periodic acid Schiff reaction, hyphae were detected in granuloma of lung and liver. This case was a chronic and systemic aspergillosis caused by Aspergillus fumigatus infection in a Jackass penguin at a zoo.

A 13-year-old female Miniature Pincher was euthanized after suffering from respiratory insufficiency and seizure. At necropsy, firm tan masses approsimately 4 to 5 cm in diameter were noted at the right caudal love and left cranial lobe of the lung. On cross sections of the cerebellum and the verebrum, several compressive firm round masses, 0.5 to 1 cm in diameter, were noted. similar looking nodules were also present in the mediastinal lymph nodes. Histopathologically, the neoplastic masses consisted of cuboidal shape epithelial cells that form glandular structure. The neoplastic cells have hyperchromatic nuclei with prominent nucleoli and moderate amount of cytoplasm. The degree of mitosis was high (4-6/400X). Multiple areas of necrosis, hemorrhage, and tumor emboli were also noted. Metastasis to the mediastinal lymph nodes, pancreas, and brain was confirmed. Based on the gross and histopathologic examinations, a diagnosis of primary metastatic pulmonary adenocarcinoma was made. Clinicaly recognized neurological signs were therefore due to brain metastasis.

Trichnuris suis does not excrete eggs during larval stage as well as in particular adult stage, It is impossible to diagnose by use of fecal examination method in those periods. Therefore, serological diagnostic method can be very useful for those stages. In order to produce monoclonal antibody, specific somatic and secretory-excretory (SE) antigens of T. suis were identified and analyzed by SDS-PAGE and Western blot. Monoclonal antibody-producing hybridoma cells were cloned, which were made of popliteal lymph node of BALB/c mice immunized with a 45 kDa somatic antigen of T. suis. Five clones (1B9, 2C4, n2C5, 2D7 and 2D8) showing strong responses to T. suis antigens were selected and the isotype identified. All monoclonal antibodies were IgG1 isotype and the light chains were k chain. Established monoclonal antibodies reacted specifically to somatic and SE antigens of T. suis and did not cross-reacted to antigens of ascaris suum, trichuris vulpis, or Trichinella spiralis. The sensitivity of somatic and SE antigens against these monoclonal antibodies were significant (p<0.01) associated with those of positive and negative sera.

A variety of enteric deseases may result in the manifestation of abdominal pain in horse. An acute colic in a 5-month-old Thoroughbred filly is described. The filly was presented with acute colic characterized by rolling and pawing. Next day she suffered from severe abdominal pain and subsequently died. Post mortem examination revealed very heavy ascarid, Parascaris equorum (P. equrum) infection in cmall intestine. In addition, it is also noted the presence of P. equorum in the stomach. Infection due to P. equorummanifests itself in foals between 6-8weeks and one year of age. P. equorum is a common and ubiquitous parasite that persists for many years in stables and on pasture in spite of good hygiene and anthelmintic control programs.

Efficacy of ciprofloxacin was evaluated in laboratory and field studies for control of streptococcal infection in flounder and eel. In disc diffussion test, all streptococcal strains showed high sensitivity to the ciprofloxacin. Minimum inhibitory concentrations of ciprofloxacin against all streptococcal strains used in this study were less than $0.195{\mu}g/ml/$. In laboratory studies where fishes were challanged with Streptococcus iniae, significant reductions in mortality were observed among fish receiving ciprofloxacin (in fed) at 100 mg/kg/body weight or more daily for 3 d when compared with mortality of non-medicated controls. Similar results were achieved when 100 mg/kg/body weight of ciprofloxacin was used in field trials.

To estimate the source of variance components for some hematological parameters and assess the utility of the conventional population-based reference interval, this study computed index of individuality for blood samples, which were from 13 dogs drawn once weekly for 4 consecutive weeks. Results were subjected to nested analysis of variance. For all parameters measured between-dog variations were greater than within-dog variation. Except for the parameters RBC and MCHC the index of individuality was <1.4. The low reliability coefficient and high index of individuality of ${\leq}0.8$ were found for the majority of hematological parameters. In practical term, the present study indicated that use of hemogram profiles alone in the evaluating clinical state of a single patient should be avoided because of their physiological or natural random variations, and that comparing a single measurement on the blood analytes from an individual dog to the conventional population-based reference range may be too insensitive to detect any significant changes in the blood components of that particular dog. A single measurement may not characterize an individual's average concentration of the parameters even shortterm period.

The aim of this work was the validation of a rapid real-time PCR assay based on TaqMan technology for the unequivocal identification of infectious canine hepatitis (ICH) virus, to be used directly on DNA purified from blood specimens. A real-time PCR system targeting at the E3 ORFA gene sequence of canine adenovirus type 1 was optimized and validated through comparative analysis of samples using conventional PCR system. The real-time PCR assay based on TaqMan technology could disclose 23 (37.7%) out of 61 samples as PCR positive. In contrast, 18 (29.5%) samples were found PCR positive when conventional PCR was applied on these samples. The use of the ABI Prism 7700 sequence detection system allowed the efficient determination of the amplified product accumulation through a fluorogenic probe. The entire real-time TaqMan PCR assay, including DNA extraction, amplification, and detection could be completed within 3 hours. The detection method of real-time TaqMan PCR assay was 1,000 times more sensitive than conventional PCR. Real-time TaqMan probe and primer set developed and optimized in this study is a sensitive, rapid and accurate method for detection of ICH virus and can be effective screening tool for the detection of ICH in a diagnostic laboratory routines.

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of hyaluronic acid (HA) on prevention of abdominal adhesions depending on various concentrations thereof by inducing an abrasion experimentally in the cecum of rats. Each group was consisted of 10 rats, and 40 rats were divided into 4 groups comprising the saline treatment group, HA 0.4% treated group, 0.6% treated group, and 0.8% treated group. And abrasion was caused in the cecum by using dry gauze and thereby, adhesion was induced. On 7 days after the operation, adhesions of each region were evaluated into the range of 0-4. Significant difference was found in the adhesion score between the control group and each experimental group (P<0.05). Also, HA 0.4% treatment group showed the lowest adhesion score (P<0.05). In the light of the above results, HA 0.4% solution was more effective on prevention of adhesion than HA 0.6% and 0.8% solution.

To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of two commercial ELISA tests (Allied- and CSL-ELISA) for the diagnosis of Mycobacterium paratuberculosis in cattle, Meta-analysis using English language papers published during 1990-2001 was performed. Diagnostic odds ratios (DOR) were analyzed using regression analysis together with summary receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. The difference in diagnostic performance between the two ELISA systems was evaluated by using linear regression. Publication bias was assessed by funnel plot and linear regression. The pooled sensitivity and specificity were 44% (95% CI, 38 to 51) and 98% (95% CI, 96 to 99) for the random-effect model. The DOR between studies was heterogeneous. The area under the fitted ROC curve (AUC) was 0.72 for the unweighted and 0.77 for the weighted model. Maximum joint sensitivity and specificity for the unweighted and weighted model from their summary ROC curve were 70% and 75%, respectively. Based on the fitted model, at a specificity of 95%, sensitivity was estimated to be 52% for the unweighted and 57% for the weighted model. From the final multivariable model study characteristic, the country was the only significant variable with an explained component variance of 13.3%. There were no significant differences in discriminatory power, sensitivity, and specificity between the two ELISA tests. The overall diagnostic accuracy of two commercial ELISA tests was moderate, as judged by the AUC, maximum joint sensitivity and specificity, and estimates from the fitted model and clinical usefulness of the tests for screening program is limited because of low sensitivity and heterogeneous of DOR. It is, therefore, recommended to use ELISA tests as a parallel testing with other diagnostic tests together to increase test sensitivity in the screening program.